Karen Slater, of Kelbrook, claimed her third county title in the mud at Hull on Sunday to bring the curtain down on her club, Keighley Hill Runners, in style - for from this week the Hill Runners will disband and members will join the new Keighley and Craven AC.

Forty-year-old Slater was never threatened as she took the Yorkshire Veterans' cross-country title, leading from the start over the tough parkland course and never looking like being caught.

In the past 12 months she has also collected the county veterans' fell title at Ilkley Moor and the 5K title in Lister Park, Bradford.

Twenty-four hours before her latest success she smashed her own course record at the Staveley fell race in the Lakes by two and a half minutes.

Liz Ball, of Valley Striders, led the chase on Sunday but finished exactly half a minute down on Slater, who clocked 41.46.

Slater's clubmate Jo Prowse, of Ilkley, also finished in the medals being third in 42.45.

And if the Hill Runners had had a third counter they would have walked the team prize which instead went to Bingley Harriers.

Best of the Keighley Hill Runners' veteran men was Jeff Emmott, of Cowling, who improved on his showing of a year ago at Ilkley to make the top 10 coming ninth.

One of fell racing's longest surviving records is the target this Sunday at Skipton.

It was back in 1981 that Lakes legend Kenny Stuart clocked an incredible 16.07 in a thunderstorm and that is still the best mark for the Guide race from the Horse Close pub. As well as the senior race at 12 noon there are races for Under 9s, Under 11s, Under 14s and Under 17s with the first at 11am.

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